<<<I found a list of the in-laws' IRAs which listed the other spouse as beneficiaries first and the family trust second.>>>

"This will not present a problem at your MIL's expected death. I'd still go ahead and take the rest of her 2013 RMD now anyway, just because it's one less thing to have to deal with in a relative hurry.

The problem with having other than "natural persons" names as IRA beneficiaries is that the entire account must be distributed within 5 years after death of the owner."

I dislike questioning one of the resident pros, but I do not think that this is accurate. I believe that the "stretch" provsiions are stillavailableif the trust is a "qualified trust".

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